Danilov Home Furnishings recovering from car crash into front of business

A violent car crash that took out a corner of Danilov Home Furnishings in August wasn’t able to take out the business itself, as a new front end with fresh stucco and a stone entryway develop from the debris.

The Aug. 27 accident could have been much worse than it was for all parties involved. Driver Robert Ackelbein and passenger Steven Fischer required medical treatment after ramming into the business’s side, taking out chunks of wall and sheets of glass, before getting stuck between a planter and a sign. Other than gashes and complaints of pain, no serious injuries occurred and no charges were brought against Acklebein, according to the Butte County Superior Court’s database.

On the other side, owners Efren and Adriana Robinson found their way to mitigate the damages, they said. With the help of insurance, the town’s assistance with getting proper permits and their own initiative, they’ve been able to turn a bad day into a fresh remodel.

The new look won’t be fully visible until the scaffolding comes down about two weeks from now, said owners Efren and Adriana Robinson. A new sign with metal lettering and "goose necked" light fixtures will finish the front end in about four weeks. The store remains open for business between now and then.

The scaffolding may intrude on the store’s main entrance, but it actually has helped business, Adriana said. Plywood sheets hung over the damaged window panes gave passers-by the wrong impression for some time.

"We had some comments that people thought we were going out of business," she said.

"But now that they see the remodeling, they’re coming back in," Efren added.

The couple has owned Danilov Home Furnishings since Jan. 2005. They bought the long-standing store when they decided they wanted to find work in Paradise, the area of their youth, they said.

Between the encouragements from residents stopping by to the fun of getting a new look, Adriana knows the store will definitely survive the Aug. crash, if not come out stronger.